Method and handling apparatus for a vehicular electrical system

• US 6,879,895 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2003
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John A. Ridyard, Rick W. Capps, Stephen V. Diebel
• Original Assignee: John A. Ridyard, Rick W. Capps, Stephen V. Diebel
• Inventors: Diebel, Stephen V., Capps, Rick W., Ridyard, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US10/421,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20030200017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/33, 701/36, 701/49, 701/53, 180/174, 180/6.28, 340/853.2
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

An apparatus used in a motor vehicle that provides load prioritization, load shedding, start sequencing and support of ultra or super capacitors when coupled to the motor vehicle'"'"'s electrical power source and distribution network. The apparatus includes circuit Breakers, Solid State Relays, Controller Area Network (CAN) physical, transport and logical interface which enables the apparatus to connect or interface with power sources and to the vehicle'"'"'s multiplex bus. The apparatus also includes decision, threshold detection and operational awareness logical software functions that enable it to prioritize power between the vehicles electrical components and interrogative/processing software functions that enable the apparatus to diagnosis abnormalities and communication status information to the vehicle operator. Lastly, the apparatus includes DC converters, temperature compensation circuitry, solid state relays, logic drivers and software functions that allow load shedding and temperature compensation to maintain efficient operation of the power source.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling the electrical systems in a vehicle, comprising:

a. a motherboard;

b. means for connecting said motherboard to at least two electrical components in a vehicle;

c. a microprocessor connected to said motherboard; and

,

d. a software program used by said microprocessor to monitor the electrical requirements and prioritize the distribution of electrical power to said electrical components to maintain efficient operation of a vehicle.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for connecting said motherboard to at least two electrical components consists of at least one of the following groups:

an analog connector and digital connector.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further including a controller area network connector connected to said motherboard.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for connecting said motherboard to at least two electrical components is a connector used to connect to a wire harness used on a vehicle.

5. The apparatus as recite in claim 4, wherein said wire harness segregates the electrical components into electrical and electronic networks.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further including means for converting the electrical signals from said electrical components into a digital signal capable of being used by said microprocessor.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further including means for adjusting the voltage and amperage of the electrical signals from said electrical components for processing by said microprocessor.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further including relays connected to said motherboard and operated by said microprocessor for controlling the distribution of electrical power.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said relays are controlled by said software program.

10. An apparatus for controlling the electrical systems in a vehicle, comprising:

a. a motherboard;

b. means for connecting said motherboard to at least two electrical components in a vehicle;

c. a microprocessor connected to said motherboard;

d. at least one circuit breaker connected to said motherboard;

e. at least one relay connected to said motherboard;

f. a controller area network interface; and

,

g. a software program used by said microprocessor to monitor the electrical requirements and prioritize the distribution of electrical power to said electrical components to maintain efficient operation of a vehicle.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, further including means for load shedding and temperature compensation to maintain efficient operation of the electrical power source of a vehicle.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, further including means for diagnosing abnormalities in a electrical power source of a vehicle.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, further including means for communicating status information regarding the electrical power source of a vehicle to an operator.